The New York Jets are preparing for the 2026 NFL season, and they have some reasons for optimism heading into the new campaign. New York added some intriguing young talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, such as David Bailey and Kenyon Sadiq. The hope is that these young stars could lead New York forward for years to come.
A lot of the spotlight will be on Bailey, though. The former Texas Tech pass rusher was the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. New York certainly thinks highly of him, and he is expected to be a cornerstone of this defense for a while.
Bailey has had a chance to shine during the preseason. However, he recently started generating some buzz for something other than his on-field performance.
Taylor Lewan Reacts to David Bailey’s Gear Choice in Jets’ Preseason Game
On Friday, the Jets took on the Pittsburgh Steelers in their penultimate preseason contest. Bailey made an impact, recording a sack in the first quarter. However, his decision to play without gloves drew the attention of former offensive lineman and three-time Pro Bowler Taylor Lewan on social media.
“Any Dlinemen who have nothing on their hands is a certified Psychopath,” Lewan said on Saturday morning.
Any Dlinemen who have nothing on their hands is a certified Psychopath.
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) August 22, 2026
Bailey’s lack of gloves is nothing new. The former Texas Tech star also didn’t wear anything on his hands while playing in college. He also doesn’t wear any sleeves or any other accessories.
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“I feel like it slows me down,” the Jets pass rusher said before the draft, via Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
Bailey played the first three seasons of his collegiate career at Stanford. He played well enough, recording 14.5 sacks in 32 games with the Cardinal. However, he broke out after transferring to Texas Tech.
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His move to Texas Tech saw him emerge as one of the best pass rushers in the nation. He recorded 14.5 sacks in 2025, matching his career total with Stanford in one season.
Bailey finished the year ranked first in the nation with an impact score of 92.9 on PFN’s CFB EDGE Impact Metric.
The Jets hope Bailey can help spark a defense that struggled in 2025. New York had the third-worst defense in the NFL last season, according to PFN’s Defense Impact Metric. Their pass rush impact, in particular, was near the bottom of the league.
New York sees a lot of potential in Bailey, and he has impressed to this point. With or without gloves, there are high expectations for the former Texas Tech star entering his rookie campaign in the NFL.
